The Leader of Dover District Council is welcoming news that DFDS/LD Lines have announced the start of a new Calais-Dover service from 17 February.
 

The ferry company have said that the process of hiring people, many of these being former SeaFrance staff, has already started.

The speed at which DFDS/LD Lines service will be up and running on 17 February could be considered a kind of 'pre-emptive strike' before Eurotunnel finalises its own plans for a Calais-Dover route.

In Dover, where employment is at a premium, Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of the District Council said: "We welcome this partnership on the Dover-Calais route.

"We are very pleased to see that the potential for SeaFrance shore staff to be employed is being realised, and it is good news to have another operator providing a service, which will continue to bring competition to the route."

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2012